In an effort to shore up their injury-riddled post position, the New Orleans Hornets signed free-agent center Anthony Tolliver to a 10-day contract on Wednesday and had him in uniform Wednesday night against the New Jersey Nets.

Tolliver, 6 foot 8, played 19 games earlier this season with the San Antonio Spurs, with whom he signed this summer. The Spurs waived Tolliver on Jan. 7 and he most recently played with the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League.

The Hornets were without center Tyson Chandler (sprained left ankle) and backup center Hilton Armstrong (sore left knee) against the Nets, as well as power forward David West (back spasms). All three were inactive Wednesday night.

Hornets Coach Byron Scott said Tolliver's signing was a hedge against Chandler's and Armstrong's absences. Armstrong is scheduled to undergo an MRI today to rule out any structural damage in his knee.

Tolliver, who played collegiately at Creighton, has bounced between the Spurs and their D-League team in Austin.

"He's a guy I saw a lot in summer league with San Antonio and is a guy who can shoot from distance, a very good defender, very active, tough, hard-nosed type basketball player," Scott said. "He's obviously pretty good if he's been able to stick with San Antonio this period of time.

"We're getting a guy who, if we can get him involved in what we do offensively and defensively, he can probably help us while these guys are down."

Scott said he didn't expect Tolliver to play Wednesday night, and Tolliver said he wasn't sure he could after arriving in New Orleans from Des Moines, Iowa late Wednesday afternoon.

"I just got the call this morning and really didn't know there were some injuries on the team," Tolliver said. "But opportunities come from everywhere. I'm just excited about the opportunity and hopefully I can make the most out of these 10 days.

"I know (Scott) likes players who work hard and hopefully I can just fit in from day one. We'll see what happens. I consider myself a pretty intelligent player. At least run through it one time, show me something on paper, and I think I'll have a chance to pick it up pretty quick."

Scott said he's not sure how long Chandler and Armstrong will be sidelined.

"I don't know if it's an extended period," Scott said. "I don't know how long Hilton will be out. Tyson, not to try to speculate on a time table, but he could be out for a number of games. It could be a week. It could be two weeks. Terry (Kofler, team trainer) said he was improving and able to walk this morning without crutches. That's totally different from running and cutting. Hilton is day-to-day. David, you hope next week some time."